Ah Asha, the everlasting hope of fresh, pristine melodies. Hearty greetings on this significant milestone in the journey of music. And wishing you many more such milestones of good health and musical times – so that we all may be blessed with the tinkle of you lovely voice, for many more years to come.
A voice that is known so much more for the songs of fun and zest and passion. A voice without whom no party dance is deemed to be accomplished.
A voice whose expressions and variations are inimitable an unique. That voice, after a duration of more than three decades in the industry, gave a veritable surprise to one and all, when she crooned the songs of ‘Umraao Jaan’ in 1981, under the baton of Khaiyyaam Sb. This was a flavor of her voice that had rarely made itself felt in her singing years thus far. But oh, what a wonderful and successful surprise it was.

This episode just goes to say how much typecast and taken-for-granted her voice had been. Her singing association with OP Nayyar Sb, and then with RD Burman brought out the one aspect of her talent, that was routinely overused. So much so, that even discerning music directors like SD Burman used her sparingly, and mostly for songs of a specific flavor. A wonderful gem of a semi classical melancholy sung by her for the film ‘Funtoosh’ (1956) – “Pyaar Ne Kitne Sapne Dekhe Aas Ne Kitne Geet Buney” was left in the darkness of obscurity for the reason of being excluded from the film. And so one remembers her for feisty and bubbling song that was retaine -“Johnny, Jeene Mein Kya Hai, Marne Mein Kya Hai” (same film) (sic).

Examples of her voice lending itself for classical and semi classical interpretations are there, even from her earlier years, albeit one has to
dig and search for them. And yes, the realm of non-film songs is probably the place where we will find more such wonderful gems. Searching through the earlier decades, I present today, this lovely semi classical gem of a song – a song that says a lot about the composition adroitness of Khaiyyaam Sb that has brought out the best side of Asha ji’s voice.

This wondrous non film song, recorded sometimes in the 1960s, is such a beautiful instance wherein one gets to hear a very different and a very
enamoring flavor of her voice. The words are from the pen of Madhukar Rajashtani and the music, of course, is by Khaiyyaam Sb. A song of
loneliness and waiting, that sounds almost as if it is a bhajan by Meera. Krishna has departed from Vrindavan to Mathura, leaving Radha and the gopis inconsolable in His remembrance. And these verses capture that mood, those emotions, as She tells of the numerous messages that have been prepared for Him, and how Her entire self is wasted, just in Her love for Him.

The song itself is enchanting, and the rendition is superb. Enjoy this enchanting flavor from her early years.

Sudhir ji. Kindly look at my reply to Sheshadri ji above. Now one more request from me. After phenomenal success of Rafi Sb and Khayyam Sb songs of Krishnaprem and some extremely beautiful ghazals contained in their LP This Is Mohd Rafi, some time after1966, Mahendra Kapoor also sang some songs of the same type, with the same Khayyam Sb. Even some tunes were also very near to Rafi Sb’s songs. But the songs never picked up. At least I did not hear much of them. And I did not care to purchase that LP. But now I think we may as well have a look at those songs at least once for nostalgia. And whom better to look at than you and Arun ji? So , kindly post those songs by Mahendra Kapoor and Khayyam Sb if you have an access to them.

Sudhirji,
Heard after almost four decades! Reminded me of the radio Vividhbharti. Never listened it with heart then because of age. Aaj aapne is gaane ki asli pehchaan karwaa di. Thank you for posting this gem of Ashaji on her 80th b’day.
Happy b’day Ashaji.

Sudhir-ji,
How rightly you have written that:
“how much typecast and taken-for-granted her voice had been. Her singing association with OP Nayyar Sb, and then with RD Burman brought out the one aspect of her talent, that was routinely overused.”
The following may be my ‘sole’ opinion, but I have cherished Asha’s song when Jaidev and Khaiyyam have composed her songs of ‘better taste’, You will not find a single song of Jaidev’s Asha in ‘Cheap taste’ People with aesthetics and appreciating what the ‘true music’ should be, will perfectly understand what I want to convey here. The rest, unfortunately, are beyond repairs.